The Credentials of the Christian"
Part # 1: "A Character Worth Possessing"
Text: Colossians 1: 23-29
Intro: The day we were saved, we were drafted into God's eternal
army. We were enlisted, enabled, equipped to stand on the
front lines. Charles Spurgeon: "The Lord gets His best
soldiers out of affliction and sorrow". Most of the saints
today are on spiritual welfare, when we should be involved
in spiritual warfare. The apostle Paul assumes the role of
commander and is actively involved in rallying the troops
on the firing line. This character worth possessing is de-
fined by:
I. THE MINISTRY OF THIS CHARACTER
you cannot be reconciled to God, until you are recruited by God.
God brought us out, brings us into the battlefield.
A) There must be consistency in the Work of God (vs 23)
the word "hope" is the key word of this verse. We were once
without hope and without God. Now we have God, we also have
hope. In other words, there is hope in the house. This work
consists of:
1) Service (vs23) "continue, grounded, settled, not moved"
these words mean "established, stedfast, keep on keeping on,
standing, striving, serving". It is also closely linked to the verse
"hunger and thrist after righteousness". It means to have a
"everyday desire to obey the Word of God".
2) Suffering (vs24) not a matter of "if", but "when" we will
suffer for the sake of our Lord. Today we are taking shortcuts
on the front lines. It may that our actions do not hurt us, but
scores are being wounded around us.
B) There must be confidence in the Will of God (vs 25)
the word "dispensation" means "stewardship" or "law of the
house". God has a perfect will and perfect design for every
child of God. If the work of God is accomplished, the it is be-
cause the will of God was achieved.
II. THE MYSTERY OF THIS CHARACTER
A) A mystery once concealed (vs 26)
that which was silent is now vocal (vocal cords of His word.)
This mystery was undiscoverable except by revelation. It was
not known until God made it known. It was previously con-
cealed to OT prophets, and made known in the fullness of
time.
B) A mystery now revealed (vs 26-27)
He who once chose to live above us (heaven), one day chose
to live with us and among us, now chooses to live in us.
This mystery was not a national possession of the Jews, but
belongs to the whole world ("whosoever will")
III. THE MESSAGE OF THIS CHARACTER
Paul reminds us of the ammunition we need on the battlefield.
Should never be on front lines empty handed and unprepared.
We should always be armed the weapon of the gospel.
A) The Message and it's Proclamation (vs 28)
there is a message to be preached. God never called me to
preach sermons, but to preach His message. The songbook
can never take the place of the Book. The gospel must be
preached. Teaching is for the saints, not the sinners. Sing-
is for the saints, not the sinner. Today we have spiritual
entertainment, when we need spiritual enlightenment.
B) The Message and it's application (vs 28)
the word "perfect" means "to come of age", "mature"
and to "grow up". We need some people to just grow up.
Some that are willing to pay the price, no matter what the cost.